Pulaski man averts hit-and-run trial with plea

Joseph W. Anderson of Pulaski enters Oconto County Circuit for a court appearance in January over a fatal hit-and-run crash. Anderson pleaded no contest Thursday to homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle and will be sentenced Sept. 16.(Photo: USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)Buy Photo

A Pulaski man has pleaded no contest to a lesser charge over a fatal hit-and-run in the town of Little Suamico.

Joseph W. Anderson, 36, faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 16 for homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle.

The victim of the Dec. 21 crash was George M. Birr, 51, who had been staying with relatives less than a half-mile away from where the accident occurred just outside Sobieski. He was walking on the shoulder toward town, wearing dark, nonreflective clothing.

Opening arguments in Anderson’s trial on a charge of hit-and-run resulting in death were scheduled for Monday. That charge carried a possible 25-year sentence.

But he accepted an amended plea offer Wednesday, according to court documents.

As part of the plea agreement, the state will recommend 21/2years of confinement and five years extended supervision.

According to the criminal complaint, Anderson was driving a pickup that struck Birr on County S just west of Sobieski about 8 p.m.

Anderson told investigators that after lighting a cigarette, he heard a loud bang from the right side of the vehicle and the windshield on the right side of the truck breaking. Anderson said he continued eastbound on County S and didn’t stop to see what he hit.

“I never thought I hit anything but a deer,” he said in the complaint.

Birr’s body was found in the ditch by a passing motorist the next morning.

About 11:30 p.m. that night, the department received an anonymous call saying Anderson was looking for parts for his white GMC pickup that he damaged the night before. He was taken into custody at his apartment about 90 minutes later.